''Crime Syndicated'' is an American anthology series that aired on CBS from September 18, 1951, to June 23, 1953. The program featured dramatizations of actual cases from the

FBI The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic Intelligence agency, intelligence and Security agency, security service of the United States and its principal Federal law enforcement in the United States, federal law enforcement age ...

and local law enforcement agencies. The series was hosted by

Rudolph Halley Rudolph Halley (June 19, 1913 – November 19, 1956) was an attorney and politician from New York City. Early life and career Born in Harrison, New York and raised in the South Bronx, Halley graduated from Townsend Harris High School at age 14, ...

, the Chief Counsel to the Senate Special Committee to Investigate Crime in Interstate Commerce, when he became president of the

New York City Council The New York City Council is the lawmaking body of New York City. It has 51 members from 51 council districts throughout the five Borough (New York City), boroughs. The council serves as a check against the Mayor of New York City, mayor in a may ...

in 1951, he alternated hosting with

Maryland Maryland ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean to ...

senator

Herbert O'Conor Herbert Romulus O'Conor (November 17, 1896March 4, 1960) was an American lawyer serving as the 51st Governor of Maryland from 1939 to 1947. He also served in the United States Senate, representing Maryland from 1947 to 1953. He was a Democrat. ...

. In March 1952, the series alternated with '' City Hospital''. The program was sponsored by the Shick razor company.

Critical reception

Jack Gould John Ludlow Gould (February 5, 1914 – May 24, 1993) was an American journalist and critic, who wrote commentary about television. Early life and education Gould was born in New York City into a socially prominent family and attended the Loomis ...

, ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...

s television critic, described the program's debut episode as "riddled with implausibilities and absurdities". He summarized elements of the plot that "made the courts, judges, police and prosecuting attorneys appear to be utterly stupid and incompetent". Gould also questioned Halley's participation in the program while he was a candidate for president of the City Council of New York City: "He is seriously jeopardizing his dignity and authority at a time when both should be at their zenith". Media critic John Crosby wrote, "After Mr. Halley gets out of the way and the dramatic portion open, you'll find it's a very honest show, full of authentic crime stuff . . . and it is excellently produced, directed and acted". Crosby also questioned Halley's participation in the program, writing, ". . . there is a certain abuse of public trust in former chief counsels of Congressional committees who suddenly become TV stars on the strength of the public clamor they kicked up in their former roles".

References

{{Reflist 1951 American television series debuts 1953 American television series endings CBS original programming 1950s American anthology television series